Inaugurated in 2012, and named in recognition of the jazz saxophone virtuoso from Newark, NJPAC’s annual celebration of “America’s Classical Music” is a spree of more than two dozen concerts and related activities – over half of which are free to the community. Guided by GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist Christian McBride, NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, Moodyfest opens on Oct. 15 with a concert by Omara Portuondo from the Buena Vista Social Club and concludes on Nov. 20 with the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Among the many artists scheduled to perform are Wynton Marsalis, AngéliqueKidjo, The Brubeck Brothers Band, Dianne Reeves, the cast of Fela! The Concert, The Yellowjackets, Sharon Jones, Lisa Fischer, Regina Carter, Dave Grusin, and alumni of the original James Brown Band.